Why on earth has Zaha been called up? Today, he has said that even if he plays for England against Sweden he hasn't decided if he will continue to play for them (which he can do as its only a friendly).

I'd prefer a youngster who 100% wants to play for England and not one who will change his mind!

LetsGo wrote:
I'd prefer a youngster who 100% wants to play for England and not one who will change his mind!

It's not about loyalty, it's about doing what's best for himself.
How many players have proclaimed their love for England and only want to play for them, ignoring whatever other country they could play for (and it's not like Ivory Coast are a sh*t team either, arguably the best African team), only for them to have 1 cap (to ensure they can't play for anyone else) and then to be forever dumped into obscurity and to never play for England again?

He would be a fool to publicly state he only wants to play for England. It's not like his opportunity to be a main stay is a dead cert either; competing against the likes of the Ox and even that gay-looking scouse ostrich (Sterling).

@The-Bodybuilder I'm sorry but this isn't some kind of work experience scheme. Internationals are few and far between, there isnt many opportunities for players to show their worth. That's why I think that players who we KNOW will play for England deserve a chance more than someone who may never play for England again.

LetsGo wrote:
@The-Bodybuilder I'm sorry but this isn't some kind of work experience scheme. Internationals are few and far between, there isnt many opportunities for players to show their worth. That's why I think that players who we KNOW will play for England deserve a chance more than someone who may never play for England again.

I'm confused; are you agreeing or disagreeing with me?
Of course internationals are far and far between and there aren't many opportunities for players, that is exactly the reason why no player with a dual nationality should ever say "it's england or bust". It's that very reason why they shouldn't just select England as their only option. I'm arguing against the romanticized idea that players who only want to play for england should be picked.

Secondly, doesn't matter how many times "know" is in caps, no one knows who will play for england, especially at a young age.

I'm not talking about 'his heart and soul isn't in England so he shouldnt be picked', we all know what England players think about that! Most of them care about money and their club more.

What I am talking about is that there are a number of talented England youngsters who would love a chance to impress on the international stage, surely that player deserves the chance more than a player who wants to play a game for England 'to see what it's like' before he makes his international decision? Esp. as there isn't many games where youngsters get a chance in the team?

LetsGo wrote:
I'm not talking about 'his heart and soul isn't in England so he shouldnt be picked',.

And which of these players who would love a chance to play for England are actually good enough to do so? How many are of Zaha's level?

Zaha knows he has the ability to play on an international stage, and only wants to do what's best for himself, so his potential doesn't get wasted. It's not about "seeing what's like", it's about making sure they actually want him. It may be cynical, but so is giving a player a cap and screwing them over to ensure they never player for everyone else, something that has happened plenty of times before (even after everyone fawning over them and telling them they are dead certs to star for England). Maybe Zaha doesn't want the same to happen to him?

And then there is the basic and obvious fact that maybe....just maybe, he has an equal affinity to both England and Ivory Coast? The idea that he should just pick England is kinda arrogant to be begin with and narrow-minded. Maybe it's hard for others to understand how it feels to be of dual-nationality and being forced to represent one.

LetsGo wrote:
Not for a friendly, you experiment and give others a chance to impress (IMO).

Well, a bit yeah. You essentially have slightly wider scope because there's less pressure, but it's still about your core squad getting some much needed practise and blooding in new players for when it's important. It's not a "freebie".

LetsGo wrote:
Not for a friendly, you experiment and give others a chance to impress (IMO).

Well, a bit yeah. You essentially have slightly wider scope because there's less pressure, but it's still about your core squad getting some much needed practise and blooding in new players for when it's important. It's not a "freebie".

I agree, so why would you pick a player who you may never be able to pick again?